Pianoforte



Patented Mar. 25, 1930 PATENT EZCE ROBERT HENRY COLLEN, OF EAST HAM w NGLAITD, ASfziIGlwlOR.-OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN BROADVI'OOD & SONS LIMITED, GE!.IQIJDON, ENGLAND- PIANOFORTE Application filed November 9, 1926, Serial No. 1*f,27 3,\an:tin Great" Britain" November '26, 19251 This invention relates to the cases of pianofortes and consists in providing a case which is made as an entire unit separate and distinct from the playing mechanism, or any part thereof, and into which, when completed, the various parts of the said playing mechanism may be built, or otherwise applied thereto, or into which the whole of the said playing mechanism may be inserted and remov- 1g ably secured.

An example of a pianoforte case constructed according to this invention will be described with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical cross section through the case, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction shown.

Referring to the drawing, to the inner side of each of the main end or vertical members 1 of the case is glued and screwed a cheekmember 2 and toe-member 3. The member 2 embodies as a single member the usual cheek member and arch member common to usual pianoforte construction. The forward por- 2 tion of each of the cheek-members is sup ported by a leg 4 interposed between and secured to the under side of the said forward portion of the cheek-member and the upper side of the forward portion of the said toemember. Each of the cheek-members 2 is preferably formed from a solid piece of wood of substantial thickness for strength and its rear portion 2 projects inwardly of the main end, or vertical member 1 to which it is se- 5 cured to any desired extent. Each of the toe-members 3 is also preferably formed from a solid piece of wood and projects rearwardly to practically the rear end of the said main end, or vertical, member 1, to which it is s cured. The frame into which the bo tom door fits consists of a bottom rail 5, commonly known in the art as the plinth, a top rail 6, commonly known as the fast-rail and end rails 7 commonly known as doorposts or pilasters, each being morticed, tenoned and secured the one to the other and to the main end or vertical members and to the toe-members in such manner as to constitute a tie between the lower part of the said main end, or vertical, members and also constitute a substantial intermediate bracing for thelower portion ofv the case. Portionsat the upper part of the doonposts, or pilasters, maybe out away-to clear the cheek-members and. openings are cut in the plinth for the insertion of the pedal feet. The bottomdoor S ;ed to fit in-the aforesaid"frameand tobe removably secured: therein by means of fillets, dowels, and turn buttons in the known, or 'any suitable,way.

Acpianoforte case in accordance withthe present invention may'be constructed with out the usual bottom board. The playing mechanism'as a whole may be suitably/securedto a separate piece which" constitutesithe bottoinboard of the instrumentwhenltheiplayinn; unit is in positione'in thecase unit;

For rigidityfof'the upper portion of the case, in addition to the baclr half 9' of the top horizontal member a: sub-top 10 ispr'ovided which' is dovetailed'or suitably fixed to the two end'members 1=,theuppersurface tobevfiush with the top of the said endmem hers and in position directly underneaththe top member 9. In an alternative construction a woodblock is secured along the top in sideedge of each of themain-end, or verticalmembers', towhich in turnis secured-the backhalfof the top, or horizontal, member ofthe case an'd'suitably secured to the forward ends of the said blocks is a stretcher which acts as a further Ineans'for effecting rigidity at the upper portion of the case.

Hinged to-the said backhalf9 ofthe top, or horizontalmember is the front-halfll of the said member which may be. asusual. The forward, or' front, ends of'the cheekmembers Qarerigidly connected by'a: rail 12 to which the lock-rail 13 issecured; Secured to the inner sides of the cheek-members 2 are strips 14 which act to properly position the removable back-hollow 15 to which is hinged the fall 16 whichcloses down onto the aforesaid lock-rail 13. The top-door l7 butts against thefront edges-of the main 95 end, or vertical, members and may be removably secured to the case by any known, or suitable means. The two end members are thickened upon their inside faces on the portion 18 extending from the top of the said 1 ends to the top of the cheeks and to a depth suficient to allow the mechanism unit entered from the back to make contact with them. Castors may be fixed to the case at any desired time during its construction. The case when completely constructed is ready to receive a separate playable unit or to have built therein the various parts constituting the playing mechanism of the instrument, and this may be done either before, or after, the said case has been polished as found more convenient, or suitable.

By making the pianoforte cases as an independent and separate unitfrom the playing mechanism of the instrument as hereinbefore described the said cases can be more easily, quickly and economically manufactured than hitherto.

Having now particularly described and as certained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. A pianoforte comprising a pianoforte case constructed as a unit apart from. the playing mechanism and without a bottom board, in combination with a playing mechanism constructed separately upon a bottom board and adapted to be fixed in place by sliding the bottom board into place and fastening it there.

2. A pianoforte case constructed as a unit and adapted to receive as a whole the playing mechanism, constructed as another'unit, secured to a separate piece constituting the bottom board of the instrument when the playing unit is in position in the case unit, the said case unit comprising main end vertical members, combined cheek and arch members secured to said vertical members, toe members secured to said vertical members their rear portions being adapted to have secured thereto the bottom boardof the playing unit] when placed in position in the case unit, legs secured betweenthe forward ends of said combined cheek and arch members and said toe members, a bottom door frame secured to and rigidly connecting said vertical members, a sub-top member secured to and rigidly connecting the upper end of said vertical members, a'rail secured to and rigidly connecting said combined cheek and arch members, and abutment blocks secured to the inner sides ofthe said vertical members with which said playing unit contacts when placed in position in the case unit and to which said playing unit can be secured, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ROBERT HENRY COLLEN. 

